It takes a (global) village

As the humanitarian relief effort in Albania and Macedonia mounts, international organizations are seeking the cash and kindness of strangers.

By Daryl Lindsey

Apr 13, 1999 | Testimonials on CNN about "genocide" (testimonials that, we're constantly reminded, can't be independently verified). Families herded into freight trains like cattle. Masses of people standing in bread and water lines in muddy, squalid makeshift refugee compounds that make Gypsy camps seem like Club Med. These are all vivid snapshots of Europe's greatest flood of refugees since World War II -- and they give pause to even the most cynical.

Conditions for Kosovar Albanian refugees are improving, with the first transports of the Tirana, Albania, humanitarian airlift now landing and international aid organizations getting better access to refugees. But the situation for many is still precarious, and the exodus from Yugoslavia continues. There are now more than 300,000 refugees in Albania, 98,000 in Macedonia and 60,000 in Montenegro. Satellite images and testimonials are the only evidence of the fate of scores more ethnic Albanians still inside Kosovo. Grim daily updates on the relief effort can be found on the U.S. Agency for International Development and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees home pages.

It takes a lot of greenbacks to care for an overnight refugee community the size of Austin, Texas. And though the U.S. government has contributed $50 million to the relief effort, organizations are scrambling for resources. Mostly, they need cash -- it's cheaper to buy supplies in Albania and Macedonia than it is to fly stuff in. Besides, the region's airspace is already overcrowded with bombers and transports, and the local economies, burdened by the influx of displaced, could use the economic booster shot.

"As well-meaning as it might be, a can of soup won't help much," says American Red Cross spokesman Gray Brian, discounting the notion that good old-fashioned canned food drives will stave off starvation in the Balkans.

Salon spoke to a handful of organizations about their Kosovo efforts and how readers can contribute.

American Friends Service Committee The Quaker organization saw its early relief efforts hampered when the supply warehouse it shares in Kosovo with the Mother Theresa Society was destroyed, allegedly by Serbian troops. But AFSC now has staff on the ground in Macedonia and is working with partner organizations to distribute first aid and hygiene supplies. The organization is accepting both in-kind and monetary contributions. For more info, check out AFSC's Web page or call (888) 588-2372. 1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia, PA 19102.

American Muslims for Global Peace and Justice The organization is working with mosques around the country to raise cash and organize congregation prayers for the Kosovars every Friday. American Muslims' efforts in Macedonia are coordinated by Rahima and Islamic Relief, aid groups that spokesman Salah Gupta describes as the people we've seen "throwing bread from tractors." The organization is also trying to send doctors from the Islamic Medical Association to the Balkans. "Even $50 can feed a person for two and a half weeks in Albania. A small amount is a lot," offers Gupta. (408) 988-1011. 2094 Walsh Ave., Suite C-2, Santa Clara, CA 95050.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR is coordinating the international relief effort in Albania and Macedonia. UNHCR is also strapped right now, burdened with 22 million refugees or imperiled populations around the world -- including the Kosovars and victims of mutilation in African hot spot Sierra Leone. UNHCR only accepts monetary contributions, but spokeswoman Jennifer Dean says you can volunteer with local affiliates if you don't have money to spare. (202) 296-5191. 1775 K St. NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006.

Here's a list of other organizations leading the Kosovo relief effort:

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
711 Third Ave., 10th Floor
New York, NY 10017
(212) 885-0832; (212) 885-0889

American Red Cross
International Response Fund
P.O. Box 37243
Washington, DC 20013
(800) HELP-NOW Spanish: (800) 257-7575

American Refugee Committee
2344 Nicollet Ave. S., Suite 350
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 872-7060

Baptist World Aid
6733 Curran St.
McLean, VA 22101
(703) 790-8980

CARE
151 Ellis St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
(800) 521-2273

Catholic Relief Services
P.O. Box 17090
Baltimore, MD 21203
(800) 736-3467

Church World Service
28606 Phillips St.
P.O. Box 968
Elkhart, IN 46515
(800) 297-1516, ext. 222

Direct Relief International
27 S. La Patera Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
(800) 676-1638

Doctors Without Borders/MSF
6 East 39th St., 8th Floor
New York, NY 10016
(888) 392-0392

Doctors of the World
375 West Broadway
New York, NY 10012
(888) 817-4357

Food for the Hungry International
7729 East Greenway Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(800) 2-HUNGER

International Aid Inc.
17011 West Hickory St.
Spring Lake, MI 49456
(800) 968-7490

International Medical Corps
11500 West Olympic Blvd.
Suite 506
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(800) 481-4462

International Orthodox Christian Charities
P.O. Box 630225
Baltimore, MD 21263
(410) 243-9820

International Rescue Committee
122 East 42nd St.
New York, NY 10168
(877) REFUGEE

Lutheran World Relief
Church Street Station
P.O. Box 6186
New York, NY 10277-1738
(800)597-5972

MAP International
2200 Glynco Parkway
P.O. Box 215000
Brunswick, GA 31521-5000
(800) 225-8550

Mercy Corps International
3030 SW First Ave.
Portland, OR 97201
(800) 852-2100

Oxfam America
Kosovo Relief Fund
26 West St.
Boston, MA 02111
(800) 77-OXFAM

Save the Children Federation
P.O. Box 975
54 Wilton Rd.v Westport, CT 06880
(800) 243-5075

Salvation Army World Service Office
615 Slaters Lane
Alexandria, VA 22313
(703) 684-5528

US Association for the UNHCR
1775 K St. NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 296-5191

U.S. Committee for UNICEF
333 East 38th St.
New York, NY 10016
(800) FOR-KIDS

World Concern
19303 Fremont Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98133
(800) 755-5022

World Relief
P.O. Box WRC
Wheaton, IL 60189
(800) 535-5433

World Vision
P.O. Box 9716
Federal Way, WA 98063
(888) 511-6565

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